Opposition Mounts Against Haslam's Islamic Appointee; Mosque Opens

A Brentwood dentist is campaigning against the appointment of Samar Ali to work in Tennessee’s economic development office and has drafted a resolution criticizing the governor and making a case that Islam is bent on world domination. A version of the document has been signed by a growing list of county-level Republican executive committees, including the state’s wealthiest and arguably most influential GOP stronghold of Williamson County. In a related issue, federal courts recently intervened in a lawsuit that attempted to keep the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro from opening. First Friday prayers were held today with no incidents, the Daily News Journal reports. “If we don’t protect the individuals down in Rutherford County and their right to worship, then that just diminishes all of our rights,” said U.S. Attorney Jerry Martin. WPLN has the story